diff --git a/src/main/java/net/schmizz/sshj/SSHClient.java b/src/main/java/net/schmizz/sshj/SSHClient.java
index dd0e3817..78b91c5f 100644
--- a/src/main/java/net/schmizz/sshj/SSHClient.java
+++ b/src/main/java/net/schmizz/sshj/SSHClient.java
@@ -804,12 +804,12 @@ protected void onConnect()
             throws IOException {
         super.onConnect();
         trans.init(getRemoteHostname(), getRemotePort(), getInputStream(), getOutputStream());
+        doKex();
         final KeepAlive keepAliveThread = conn.getKeepAlive();
         if (keepAliveThread.isEnabled()) {
             ThreadNameProvider.setThreadName(conn.getKeepAlive(), trans);
             keepAliveThread.start();
         }
-        doKex();
     }
 
     /**